Expansion to Avondale in 2024

At Sweets & Meats, we have a deep passion for food and its ability to bring people together. Our founders, Kristen Bailey and Anton Gaffney, have always loved cooking and entertaining, which led to the creation of our business. What began as a small barbecue business rooted in community and consistency has grown into a mission-driven food operation focused on access, dignity, and connection through home-cooked meals. 

In 2024, Sweets & Meats expanded into Avondale, a neighborhood that has historically been a food desert, by opening a brick-and-mortar restaurant on the campus of Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. This location was intentionally chosen to serve local residents, hospital employees, and patient families who often have limited access to fresh, affordable, comforting food during long and stressful days. The Avondale restaurant addresses the gap between convenience food and nourishing, home-style meals, offering culturally familiar barbecue and sides made with care and consistency.

This expansion is deeply personal. As a child, Kristen spent countless hours at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital while her sister received care for cerebral palsy and epilepsy. That experience shaped a lifelong understanding of how food can provide comfort, stability, and a sense of normalcy during difficult times. Opening this location is both a community investment and a full-circle moment.

Looking ahead, Sweets & Meats BBQ envisions continued sustainable growth that prioritizes community impact—creating stable jobs, expanding food access in underserved areas, and building partnerships with healthcare institutions and local organizations. The long-term vision is to be a trusted neighborhood anchor that proves small, locally owned food businesses can drive both economic opportunity and meaningful social good.